College of Science and Mathematics
Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Physics

Entry level courses can be completed on either campus, but degree must be completed on St. Thomas campus.


Catalog Entry:  In addition to the general education requirements or 18 credits of Humanities and 12 hours of Social Sciences, the following courses are required:

 A. Required courses in Freshman Studies (required for anyone admitted into the program with fewer than 24 credits):

                                                                                                                                                Credits

SCI 100 The Natural World: The Caribbean                                                                           3

SSC 100 An Introduction to the Social Sciences: A Caribbean Focus                                    3

FDS 100 Freshman Development Seminar                                                                             

B. Required courses in Physics:

                                                                                                                                                Credits

PHY 241, 242 General Physics I-II                                                                                       5, 5

PHY 271  Astronomy I                                                                                                           3

PHY 341 Modern Physics                                                                                                     3

PHY 351 Modern Physics Lab                                                                                              1

PHY 371  Astronomy II                                                                                                          3

PHY 311 Classical Mechanics I                                                                                            3

PHY 321 Electromagnetism                                                                                                    3

PHY 397, 398 Junior Science Seminar I, II                                                                             0.5, 0.5           

PHY 4xx Quantum Mechanics                                                                                               3

PHY 4xx Thermal and Statistical Physics                                                                              3

PHY 4xx Astronomy Lab I                                                                                                     1

PHY 4xx Astronomy Lab II                                                                                                    1         

PHY 497, 498 Senior Science Seminar I, II                                                                          0.5, 0.5

PHY 495, Directed Independent Research                                                                          1-4

PHY 496 Internship/Field Studies                                                                                        1-4

Subtotal                                                                                                                                38-44

C. Required courses in Mathematics:                                                                               Credits

MAT 143, 153* Pre-calculus Algebra and Trigonometry                                                      4, 4

MAT 241, 242   Introduction to Calculus and Analytical Geometry I-II                                 4, 4

MAT 261 Linear Algebra                                                                                                       4

MAT 341, 342   Intermediate Calculus I-II                                                                            3, 3

MAT 346  Differential Equations                                                                                           3

MAT 325  Numerical Analysis                                                                                               3

*A student may be exempted from MAT 143-153 by a qualifying examination.

Subtotal                                                                                                                                32

D. Required courses in Chemistry:                                                                                   Credits

CHE 151-152 General Chemistry I-II                                                                                    5-5

Subtotal                                                                                                                                 10

E. Required courses in Computer Science:                                                                      Credits

CSC 117  Introduction to Programming I                                                                               4

CSC 239  Scientific Computer Applications                                                                          2

Subtotal                                                                                                                                 6

F. Science Electives: An additional 9 credits in science, mathematics, engineering, or computer science are required from the following:

Any Selected Topics in Physics

Any Biology course

Any 200, 300, or 400 level Chemistry course

Any 200, 300 or 400 level Mathematics course except MAT 232 and MAT 257

Any Computer Science course except CSC 111 and CSC 120

Any 200 level engineering course

Total   (Including Humanities and Social Science Requirements)                                           129 - 135